There are times when I have fleeting thoughts of quitting the online space.  I think about how much time is sucked into the rabbit hole of Instagram or YouTube when I could be doing something more meaningful and productive…  But then I think about the beautiful people I’ve met, dear friends I have made, and endless encouragement and inspiration I have found from like-minded creatives and all-around awesome people.  I know I would miss that community, and leaving social media would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.  (It’s also a pretty key part of my business, so there is that aspect as well!)  One of those people I have had the pleasure of crossing paths with on Instagram is Margaux Kent of Peg & Awl.

I have followed her business and account for a long time.  I don’t even know how many years.  What she shares has always spoken to me in a way I can’t fully put into words.  I just knew through her pictures, her words, and the things she made, that we had a lot in common.  I’ve also always loved the way Margaux shares online.  She isn’t following the trends to increase her likes and please the algorithm.  She’s just letting the people who follow her look over her shoulder to see what she’s up to.  It’s curated, but not artificial and forced.  It’s thoughtful, but not overthought.

I had the opportunity to interview her recently for my 2028 book (I am juggling three books in various stages at the moment), and we easily bounded past the small talk and cannonballed into a genuine conversation.  The bones of our lives are very different, but it feels like we have similar marrow.  She unknowingly repeated many of my own thoughts and words back to me as I asked questions and she told her story.

Just look at her spread of supplies.  Having similar antique watercolor sets is one thing, but having almost identical ruling pens, feathers, porcupine quills, and even the grain-sack striped fabric they’re spread on shows that the same tools and materials call to us.

So, naturally, everything that Peg & Awl makes and carries in their online and physical store is like a siren song to me.

And, after years of oogling, I am finally the owner of one of their signature products – The Sendak artist’s roll.

It is a beautifully made waxed canvas and leather bag, ideal for carrying art supplies on the go.  I have a bit of a bag/tote/zipper pouch collection, and this is definitely a new favorite.

It’s a perfect size to carry some different pen, pencil, clutch, and brush options along with a small watercolor palette, a collapsible water cup, ruler, and kneaded eraser.  I was about to type that it was like it was made for this, but in fact, it was.  Not only was it thoughtfully designed to be perfect for art supplies, but it’s also so well-crafted.  I also know from watching her work and our interview that Margaux and her team put a great deal of thought into all of the materials used for each piece.  As much as possible, they use things that are found, bought secondhand, repurposed, refashioned, and remade.

I’ll be writing about Margaux in my 2028 book, but until then, you can follow her at Peg and Awl’s Instagram HERE or shop their online store HERE.

PS – I had the pleasure of painting the Kent’s dog, Pearl.  It is the ultimate compliment when someone commissions me to paint their beloved pet.